Comments on: Reseller May Take ‘Hit’ When Apple Arrives

By: Chadracker Bhortisch

Chadracker Bhortisch — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 05:00:51 +0000

“It’s not fair!”

Ahuh. Welcome to Capitalism, Slappy. Offer a desirable product or service the Apple Stores don’t, and you’ll survive. Don’t, and you’ll be applying for a Specialist position at the new store. Look on the bright side – maybe you can get some bailout money from the government!

By: ttspeedo

ttspeedo — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 06:48:32 +0000

I worked in the Pasadena Apple Store 5 years ago. Both of Pasadena’s Mac resellers are still in business. We used to refer customers to the other stores when they were looking for peripherals or accessories outside of the narrow offerings of the Apple Store. Support for older models was also a big plus for the resellers, since the Apple Stores (at least at the time) limited their service offerings to newer models.

So, I hope Mac Mechanic stays sharp and his business increases. If he plays his cards right and offers customers products and services that can’t be found at the Apple Store, there should be room enough for both players in SB.

By: vaporland

vaporland — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:15:34 +0000

In Richmond VA, reseller CapitolMac has seen service and sales increase since the opening of the Apple Store in Short Pump Town Center.

A good reseller can do well when Apple boosts sales in a specific area, and then drops the ball on service for all but the standard mainstream computer user.

The CapitolMac team is knowledgeable and friendly, and actually receives referrals from the Apple Store for particularly unusual custom configurations.

If Mac Mechanic has a good service department, they’ll do fine. There’s more money and better margins for independents in service than retail sales anyway.

It would be worth their while to forge a relationship with their local Apple Store staff.